A slideshow from the Nonprofit Survival Series hosted by UCA's Outreach and Community Engagement September 16, 2014.

1. UCA OUTREACH “FUNDING YOUR
NEED”
SEPTEMBER 16, 2014
JENNIFER DEERING, GRANT WRITER, UCA SPONSORED PROGRAMS

2. FUNDING YOUR NEED
We will cover four learning objectives today.
 Identifying a mission/project
 Drafting a plan
 Identifying possible funding sources
Developing an evaluation framework

3. OBJECTIVE 1: IDENTIFYING A MISSION / PROJECT
Missions and projects are…
 Clear and concise.
 http://conwayinterfaithclinic.org/about/
 Service Driven.
 http://www.stuttgartpubliclibrary.org/
 http://www.capcainc.org/about/

4. OBJECTIVE 1: IDENTIFYING A MISSION/PROJECT
What is the project?
This can only be answered in relation to your mission
statement. If your organization is designed to serve
as an animal shelter, you cannot risk “mission drift”
by adding on enhancing student’s self esteem—not
even if you know the money to do the project is a
sure thing.

5. OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING THE PLAN
Example: City of Hope Outreach
http://coho58.org/mission-statement

6. OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING THE PLAN
All plans have these common elements:
 What is the problem you are addressing? Never begin
with “If I only had money…”. If I only had money I could
drive a Mercedes Benz.
 How is this problem within the purview of your mission?
 What is the best possible solution for this time and this
place (and the maximum amount being offered)?
 What action steps must be taken to carry out the
solution?

7. OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING THE PLAN
Activity
Some of you came in with a project. Some of you just
an idea. Take 10 minutes to define your problem,
describe a solution, and outline action steps to
undertake the solution.

8. OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING THE PLAN
Do your homework.
 Who else in the area is working on that problem?
 Is there an opportunity to partner?
Arkansas Nonprofit Alliance

9. OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING A PLAN
Best Practices
Follow the guidelines.
 Address the agency’s questions/prompts.
Stay within their word/page limits.
Find a fresh pair of eyes.

10. OBJECTIVE 2: DRAFTING A PLAN
 Consider every part of the application persuasive.
 Each time you draft a needs statement, ask why the
need is significant. Don’t be satisfied until you’ve
answered all the “why’s.”
Avoid filler.
 Proofread.

11. OBJECTIVE 3: IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES

12. OBJECTIVE 3: IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES
Where can I find an organization’s Form 990 or 990-PF?
A: According to IRS disclosure regulations, exempt organizations must
make its three most recently filed annual 990 or 990-PF returns and all
related supporting documents available for public inspection. This
public disclosure rule also applies to Form 1023, which is filed to obtain
exempt status.
http://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits
http://grantspace.org/tools/Knowledge-Base/Funding-Research/Forms-990-and-
990-PF/finding-990-990-pfs

13. OBJECTIVE 3: IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES
NONPROFIT EXPLORER
Search IRS Form 990 Filings at http://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/ `

14. OBJECTIVE 3: IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES
 Private funders and foundations are interested in
what your board of trustees has done.
 Talk with them about their mission and what they
want to fund.
 Has everyone on your board made a contribution?
 If you are a membership based group, have your
members contributed?
 Look for cooperative elements.

15. OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN

16. OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R.T.
GOALS
Specific
Goal objectives should address the five Ws…who,
what, when, where, and why. Use action verbs such
as “create,” “design,” “develop,” “implement,”
“produce,” and the like. These goals must also
reflect the plan and may require revision to the
project plan.

17. OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R.T.
GOALS
Measureable
Goal objectives should include numeric or
descriptive measures that define quantity,
quality, cost, and the like. Focus on
elements such as observable actions,
cycle time, efficiency or flexibility to
measure outcomes, not activities.
Example: secure pledges from ten new
donors by the end of each week.

18. OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R.T.
GOALS
Achievable
Goal objectives should be within your organization’s control
and influence; a goal may be a “stretch” but still feasible.
Consider authority or control, influence, resources, and work
environment to meet the goal. Example: have ?% of staff
pass certifying courses for emergency response team.

19. OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R.T.
GOALS
Relevant
Goals should be instrumental to the mission of the
organization—no mission drift. Why is the goal
important? How will this goal/project help the agency
achieve its objectives?

20. OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN S.M.A.R. T.
GOALS
Time Bound
Goal objectives and projects should identify a definite target date for completion
and/or frequencies for specific action steps that are important for achieving the
goal. How often should people report in, how often should reports be
submitted, when is the final report to be delivered? Include specific dates,
milestone charts or timeframes that are relative to the achievement of another
project, e.g. dependencies and linkages that have to be incorporated into this
project.
Gantt charts give an easy-to-understand visual of project milestones.

21. OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION
S.M.A.R.T. GOALS EXAMPLES

22. OBJECTIVE 4: DEVELOP AN EVALUATION PLAN
Many funders will require you have an
independent evaluator. UCA, Hendrix, UALR,
and others have faculty who are experts at
doing this work. Expect to pay them; funding
agents know that is a cost of the project.

23. RESOURCES
 http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/forming-nonprofit-corporation-arkansas-36052.html
 http://www.sagepub.com/home.nav
 http://grantspace.org/tools/Knowledge-Base/Funding-Research/Forms-990-and-990-PF/finding-990-990-pfs
 http://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits
 https://www.lehigh.edu/~inhro/documents/SMART_GoalsHandout.pdf